SMS Celebrates Namesake, Worldwide Ties
When the St. Margaret's School community celebrated its namesake's feast day on November 12, it wasn't alone. Nine other members of the Queen Margaret of Scotland Girls' Schools Association - girls' schools in Australia, Canada, England, Japan, New Zealand and Scotland - share the same heritage.
Senior Carol Combs, SMS Senior Warden, carries the banner in the traditional St. Margaret's Day procession to St. John's Church.
"Being part of an international group with a common mission and values allows us to offer girls additional opportunities for travel, study and friendship," said Chaplain and Acting Head Ann Riggs.
St. Margaret's Day began this year with a special worship service at St. John's Episcopal Church. Girls dressed in all manner of plaid crowded the pews to hear Chaplain Riggs preach and the SMS Ensemble and Treble Choir sing.
"St. Margaret led an extraordinary life of service, despite her royal title and privileges," Chaplain Riggs said. "She was a mother, wife and religious figure who led by example, or as one historian said, 'a holy woman who lived in the world.'"
Little more than a week before the Tappahannock celebration and half a world away, Headmistress Margaret R. Broad visited the two St. Margaret's schools in New Zealand, Queen Margaret's College in Wellington and St. Margaret's College in Christchurch.
This December, two students from the 670-pupil Wellington day school will come to SMS for two months. In June, rising seniors Sarah Taliaferro and Olivia Longest will take their places. Also in June, the heads of all 10 QMSGSA schools will converge on SMS for the group's first U.S. meeting.
The Australian exchange continues in April, when sophomores Lindsay Neist and Claire Hopkins depart for three months at St. Margaret's School in Berwick. SMS also maintains a post-graduation internship program with St. Margaret's School in Bushey, England.
More About Margaret
Born: 1047, in Mecseknadas, southern Hungary. Granddaughter of the English King Edmund Ironside, family exiled from English throne by William the Conqueror.
Married: 1070, to King Malcolm III of Scotland. Six sons, three were King of Scotland. Two daughters, one was Queen of England.
Accomplishments: Led reform of Scottish Church and revival of nation's religious life. Known for charitable deeds and selfless service to the poor.
Died: 1093, in Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.
Further Info: Visit the QMSGSA Web site.
